Shiftable closing means for automobiles



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L. w. v. WILMS SHIF'TABLE CLOSING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Oct. 2, 1922 -3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @mt... 9 1923., L4W$$ L. W. v. wmms SHIFTABLE CLOSING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Oct. 2. 1922 3 Sneaks-Sheet 2 @ch 9 Z1923. wmma L. w. \I. WILMS SHIFTABLE CLOSING MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Oct. 2. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 LEE EV. V. VJILTVIS, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHIFTABLE CLOSING IBIEAN$ AUTOMOBZLES.

la iplication filed Gctober 2. 1922. Serial No. 591,748.

ti in f lliihtahle (losing h'lcans tor Automobiles, 01 WlllCll the following is a specification.

This: nvention whites gnuiei'allv to automobiles. but has particulan i'elation'to means or inechin'iisin whereby the Walls of a vehicle top. such as that t an autoi'nohile. may he winlil an l etectively closef'l against the eleoi easily opei'ierl to attoi'rl unob- 'zi.rft'k-(l vision. ventilation and comfort to the occupants; ot the vehicle.

While th invention is lZPPliCfliilE. to vai' cw; typeset vehicle or automobile tops.

and Wlilld l have shown it in. the accompenyin ill'ev" and will he. e:-

sci-ihc it in connection with a canopy top, the top of an automohile ot the type own in the trade as tourist. yet I (lesire it to he understood that such. illustration and description is llSOfl by Way 01" en example only. and that l (lo not limit myself in the )lication 01' use of the invention to any mlitl lltli type of vehicle or top therefor, hut may en'iploy it whm'evei' it may he found applicable or (lesirahle.

'i he invention consists in certain pecul- "t s of the =1- mst1'netion. novel arrange and conihination ot' the various parts the cot as will he hei-einattei' more fully ioi'Eh 21ml speci-" cally claimetl. it being o ivi- 21s that chan and modifications may he 'l'PKl to without departing t om the spirithe in'-. ntion. so lonfr as they come with he the claims. 1 she principal and hi'oailly speaking. oh- ;ie t o'tthe invention, to provide means i l ('0'?) into :1, cla m] hody, oi" vi c voi'sa.

ting an open topoi an automobile nether. ohject is to proviuc v. vehicle top can he rearlily shifted to their upright or closingposition.

Still another object is the provision of means whereby the shitting; (it the closure panels or sashes can'he effected While the vehicle is occupied and Without material interference with the occupants.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will he disclosed in the following do sacription and explanation. i i In the accompanying lrawings, i igure 1, is a pei'spective view of a portion (it an automobile top equip ecl with my shitlaile (I'lOSiDQ IHQiIHS therefor showing els oisashes of said means in their or (lOS8(l posit-ions. i a view in side elevation of frag pair ot the panels or. sashes used on one sac of the vehicle top. a part of said top and a portion of the body of the vehicle showine' the panels or sashes in the posi ens they will ocupy to term closni'esfor tl. vehi le top.

Fig. a plan view of one of the panels or sashes and a part of the adjoining sash or panel. showing: the means for mounting the-panel. i

Fig. 4- is a detached TJGI'SPGCtlVG view of one {i the clamps nse l for supporting the panel on suitable horizontal rocl carried -anopy or top of the vehicle. 53 a sectional view ")artly in elevallqen on line 5-.5 of Fig. 2, looking direction indicated by the arrows. zllnsti'ati. hy ilottetl lines the upright posiions the i'ianels or sashes will occupy when zhey ere use-fl to]: closing the vehiclebocly, hy contniuons lines in. about the posi- ..is they will occupy directly UiMiGi the cain'ipywhen .tlQlIOP is converted into en ripen one. r

(3 is an enlarged sectional View taken ne G i) ot l ng. 5 look mg in the Cll1 9C- "etl hy the arrows.

rfletecheil QGISIWClElXG view of tie supporting brackets for the panels 0}. sashes.

Fin, 8 is a view of :i' portion of the canopy theway positiOn directly under the canopy.

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of a portion of one of the panels or sashes, and a part of its mount showing a slight modifica- 1 tion in the construction employed for slidin bracket.

ably mounting the panel or sash on its supporting bracket.

Fig. 10 is a alan sectional view taken on line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional'view taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing a modification in the construction of the frame and panel, as well as in the means for slidably connecting the frame to its support- Fig. l.3 is a plan sectional line 1313 of Fig. 12.

'Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 14-14@ oi Fig. 12. i

Fig. 15 is a. vertical sectional View of a portion of the body of the vehicle, a part of the horizontal support carried by the vehicle' top showing another modification in the manner of supporting one of the panels or sashes on its supporting bracket, the'said panel or sash being shortened for the convenience of illustratiomand Fig. 16 is a plan sectional view taken on line 1616 of Fig. 15.

view taken on Corresponding characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referring now" more particularly to Figs.

1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings, the reten .ence numeral 20 designates the canopy or top-of a vehicle or automobile, which may be supported on the body 21 by upright braces 22 at the rear portion ofthe sides thereof and. at the trout portion of the body in the usual or well known manner.

The front and rear side portions of the spaces between the canopy 20 and the upper part of the body 21, is shown in Fig. l of the drawings as being closed by curtains 23 which may be attached to the vehicle in the ordinary or well known way. When such portions are closed as stated, the spaces between the curtains 23 at the front of the body and the curtains 23 at the rear ends of the sides of the body, are adapted for olosurerby means of my improved device. 7 The frame which supports the canopy is provided on each of its sides within the canopy with a longitudinally extended and horizontally disposed rod 24, which rods may be apart of the supporting frame for the canopy or separate members suitably supported alongside the side rails of the canopy-supporting frame. Mounted on each of the rods 24 above each of the doors 25 of the vehicle bodyare a pair of clamps or clips designated'as a whole in Fig. iby "the numeral 26, ea cl'1 of which consists of.

a transversely curved .ine-mber 27 having at one of its ends an in-turned spaced lip 28 to engage a flange 29 on the corresponding end of the other transversely curved meniber 30 of the clip. The member 27 has at its end opposite the'lip 28 a vertically disposed orificed extension 81, which extension has at one of its ends a bearing bracket 32 which is disposed; at a right angie to the extension 31 and is located at and above one end of thetubular portion 0f the clip or clamp 26 formed by the curved portions of the parts 27 and 30. The curved member is-provided with an oriiiced extension 33 on its end opposite its flange 29 and said extension is secured against the extension 31 of the member 27 by means of a bolt extended through the openings in said extensions and a nut engaging said bolt.

By this arrangement it is apparent that the clips 26 can be readily and securely mounted on the rod 24 at suitable distances apart in pairs and directly above each of the doors 25 of the vehicle body. Each of the bearing'brackets 32 of each of the clips is provided with a tr nsverse opening 36 and radially around said opening with grooves 37 for cooperation with radial ribs on the arms ot'a supporting bracket. for the sash or panel frame, as will be presently explained.

It will be observed. in various views of the drawings, especially in Figs. a, 6 and 9, that the grooves 37 of the bearing brackets 32 are located on the adjacent ifaces of said brackets, that is, on the iiace o'f'the bracket opposite the clips. Extended through the opening 36 of each of the bearing brackets 32 is a screw-threaded bolt 38 whichsupports the EtIll'lS 39 of the sash or panel sup porting bracket, which bracket is designated as a wholeby the numeral a0 and as is clearly shown in F 6 and '7, comprises-a pair of spaced parallel arms 39 which are preterably segmental in shape as shown in Fig. 7, and a tie bar 4:1 which unites the arms 39 near their middle portions. Each of the arms 39 has at one of its ends a bearing bracket 42 which is provided with a transverse opening dB for the reception of the bolts 38 carried'by the bearingbrackets 32 of the clips. Each of the brackets 12 is provided on its'outer'su'rface with radial ribs 4a which co-act with the grooves'37 of the to hold the su I by referei the present instance is by preference made of strong wire and substantially rectangular in'shape. The main portion or body l? of each frame 4-6 is provided near each of its side "with a rod or member 41. 8 located parallel n h and at a short distance inwardly fronrsaid sides. Each of the rods 4:8 is otfset'from the plane of the bruly at? so that when the panels are in the positions shown in F 2. said rods will occupy a plane inwardly of the plane occupied by the body d7 of thc'franie. The rods are extended at their upper ends outwardly or beyond the upper or horizontal portion of the body 4-7.. when the frame is in its vertical positioinand said rods are similarly extended outwardly or beyond the lower horizontal portion of the body 4-7 when in its vertical position as is shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings. The lower err tensions 49 of the rods -58 are trensvcn-ely connected by rods 50, see Fig. 2 and these extensions d9 are formed to lie in a plane outwardly of the plane occupied by the body 1-7 while the extensions 51 are located in a plane with the rods 41-8. The sleeve .5 carried by the arms 39 of the supporting bracket 40 for the sash or panel. are slid- :i-bly fitted on the rods +28 so that when the arms 39 of said bracket are mounted on the bolts 38, said bracket will support the sash or panel frame 46 in such a manner that said frame can, he slid through the sleeves to of the bracket.

In order to cause the ribs A- on the bearinc brackets 41-2 to operatively engage the grooves 37 on the bearing brackets 32, a coil spring 52 is placed on each of the bolts so as to rest at one of its ends against the inner face of the bearing bracket andat its other end against a washer 53 carried by the bolt and held in place by a nut By thisarrangement it is evident that by turning the nut on each of the bolts 38 in the proper direction. the tension of the sprint 52 may be regulated so as to press the bearin "brackets againstthe bearing; brackets on with sutlicient force to cause the ribs 4% to engage the zroorcs 3? so rportinu bracket 4:0 in d o which it be turn i. has suitably Iii Juno ed on its outer V leatherette :7 or similar material. which is pix'rvideal with a transparent panel $76 of mica or other ferent positio 7 Each of the f face a sheet o f suidib'le material whicl not easily brohen. The sheet or cover on the face of l. frame is extend i'l be 11d '5 l e as will be rcadil etc F fi. 2 that the ad portions o tl she ts or coverings will lap one another "hown in z 8 oi the d in wi n is outwa rd ly an d h lower extensi his +1 9 0.

of said 1 fdownwardly deflectit a substantially horizontal portion 57 wil be )rovided to 2' on the upper edge of the door or body of the vehicle. as is clearly shown in FL and S of the drawings. when sashes or panels are placed in their vertical or closed positions. The extensions 51 on the upper portion of ach of the panel. frames 46 extend beiiwcn the downwardly extended sides of. canopy and the supporting; rod 24; of frame of said canopy when the sashes in their closed or vertical positions, when said sashes are turned to the pos indicated by continuous ll?) s Fig;

it is manifest tln extensions wi l occupypositions-i against the lower surface of the brac or tie-member e l of the supporting bracket or In close proximity thereto. in Figs. 9 U. inclusive of the drawings is shown a modifisupporting); bracket are made in the form of rods instead of in the form of bars. as in the other construction. and except that instead of using substantially tubular slecres for sliding engagement with the rods 4 8 of the panel frame. a substantially Ushaped cross-sectional member 59 having a laterally extended lug Gd pirotally secured to the lower end of each arm 58 is employed to en gage the rods 48 of the frame 46 so that said frame may ie' slidinglyheld by the members 59. and if desired, detached there from by springing the arms 58 of the modified form of the supporting bracket .outwardly.

In Figs. 12 to 14: inclusive is shown another modification in the construction of the supporting bracket for the panel frame and also in the construction of the panel frame itself. In this modification the panel frame 61 is made of flat material and rectangular in shape andhas secured to its inner surface on each of its vertical sides an angle bar 62 for co-operation with a cross-sectionally U-shaped shoe 63 mounted on the lower end ofeachof the arms Giofthe supporting bracket. constructed according to the present modification. equipped at their'upper ends with, bearing brackets of a construction similar to that shown in Fig. 7 and above described, and also shown in Fig. 9 for co-operation with the bearing. brackets 32 on the clips. 26 mounted on the supporting rods therefor,

which rods are carried by the frame of the canopy as before explained. The modified panel frame 61 may beequipped with a pane of glass or other suitable transparent material. Each of the shoes.63 ispivotally These arms 6-4 are vehicle as shown by continuous linesin Figs.

secured to the lower end of one of the arms 64 in such a way that the angle bar 62 will be engaged by said shoes to permit slidable movement of the frame 61 with respect to saidshoes and the arms 64 of the supporting bracket for said frame.

In Figs. and 16, is shown still another modification in the construction of the supporting bracket for the panelfra ne, and also in the construction of the frame itself. in the present modification the panel frame 66 is rectangular in shape, as in the other constructions,and is by preference made of strong wire or rod material, and has at its upper end the extensions 51 and at its lower end the offset'ezitensions 49 common to all of.

the constructions of the panel frames. The frame 66 may be equipped on its outer surface with leather or other flexible material. having a transparentwindow as shown in Fig. 2 and above described, but in the Figure l5, this element has been omitted for the clearness of illustration.

Each of the side rails of the panel frame 66 is provided at a suitable point between its ends, and in a plane with the frame, with a rounded boss or enlargement 67, with which a shoe 68 carried on the lower end of each of the arms 69 of the frame supporting bracket constructed according, to the present modification, engage; As shown in Fig. 16,

porting; bracket are equipped at thcir'upper' ends with hearing brackets 42 of a construction. similar to that shown in Fig. 7 and above described,for co-operation with the liiearing brackets 32 on the clips 26 mounted on the supporting rods therefor.

From theforegoing and by reference to the drawings, it will be readily understood and clearly seen that in each of the constructions illustrated and above described, with the exception of the modification shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the panel or sash frames, when positioned for closing the walls of the 1 and 2 and by dotted lines in Fig. 5, will rest at their lower ends on the upper edge of the body 21 or doors thereof, and-that the vertical extensions on the upper ends of said frames will be positioned outwardly of the horizontal supporting rods 24 for the panel supporting brackets. Now, when it is i of the drawings.

By this arrangement it is frames, all that is necessary is to lift the frame vertically until the offset portion at the lower end thereof is in position for tiltable movement on the supporting arms of the bracket for said frame, without interfering with the upper edge of the body 21 of the vehicle, as is clearly shown in Fig; 8

hen in this position, a further upward and outward movement of the panel frame and the supporting bracket therefor can be effected, and the panel frame can then he slid on the slialable inembers of the arms of the supporting bracket to the proper position, that the panel frame and the sup porting bracket therefor can be positioned about horizontally under the canopy as shown in Fig. 5 and retained-in such position by reason of the locking engagement of the hearing brackets on the upper ends of the arms of the supporting brackets with the bearing brackets of the clips on the supporting rod. If desired, further means for assisting in holding the frame in its horizon tal position may be mounted on and carried by the canopy or its frame, as is obvious.

Bythe construction of the bearing brackets 32 and 42 of the clips and frame supporting; bracketsrespectively, it is manifest that the arms of the supporting brackets can be turned to almost any angle and will be held in such positions against accidental dislocation. As the panel frames are adjustable on their supporting brackets, and as said brackets are ustable laterally with respect to their supporting rods, it is manifest that the panel frames can be manipulated in such a way as to be mainly performed outside of the vehicle body so that when it is desirable to place the frames in their inoperative positions under the canopy, their movements will not materially interfere with the occupants of the vehicle.

The operation of the modified construction shown in Fig. 15, is as fo lows:

The sash frame 66 and the supporting bracket 69 are moved outwardly of the body when by tilting the frame 66 on its pivot,

the bracket supporting arms 69 can be turned inwardly of the body of the vehicleand to a horizontal position under the canopy thereof, thus causing the frame 66 to assume and occupy a siinilarposition. Y

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a vehicle body'and top thereforrhaving a wall provided with a shiftable'panel, the combination with a pair of bearing brackets mounted in spaced relation and transversely on the said top above said panel, of a depending support comprising a pair of transversely braced "parallel arms pivotally connected at their lower ends to the panel near its sides and co-operatively connected at their upper ends to said brackets for lat eral pivotal movement thereon and. for automatically lee ting them thereto in any one of the Yarious angles to which they may he turned with respect to their pivots.

2. In a vehicle body and top therefor haw ing a Wall provided with a shittahle panel, the combination with a horizontally disposed supporting rod carried by the top along" itssaid Wall, of a pair of clips mounted in spaced relation on said rod, each of said clips carrying a transversely disposed aperturcd hearing bracket haying radial depressions on once)? its surfaces, a supporting bracket having a pair of parallel arms pivotally connected at one of their ends to the panel and each arm having at its upper end a transversely apertured hearing bracket provired with radial ribs to engage the radial depressions of the first named hearing iiiracli'ets, a hearing bolt extended through the apertures 01": each pair of said hearing brackets, and a spring on each of said. bolts for exerting pressure against the bearing use:

brackets of said arms towards the bearing brackets of said clips.

3. in a Vehicle body and top therefor havii'iga Wall provided with a shilftaiole panel, the combination with a horizontally disposed supporting rod carried by the top along its said Wall, of a pair of clips mounted in spaced relation on said rod, each of said clips carrying a transversely disposed apcrtured bearing bracket having radial depressions on one of its surfaces, a supporting bracket having a pair of spaced arms pivotally and slidahly connected at one of their ends to the panel near the sidesthereof and between its ends, each or said arms having at its other end a transversely apertured hearing hrac-hct prov'ded with radial ribs to engage the radial depressions of the first named bearing brackets, hearing holts extended through the apertures of each pair of said bearing brackets, and a spring mounted to exert its pressure against each of the hearing brackets oi said arms towards the hearing hrackets of said clips.

Lee W. V. "WILMS. 

